doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Darne triggers

Since we are on the topic of Darnes - and I have contributed above, I thought I would try and share a couple of photos of mine;

Model V21 (not V19 as posted earlier) made I believe in the early 1960s

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John,
That style of engraving is known as "Rosace", and is usually applied to guns of higher grade than V19-I cataloged that style on V21 grade Darnes.
Does the serial number of your Darne begin with SPC or SPL, perchance?
It was also available in R15 grade guns, at the time. Sometimes you can find a signature of the engraver on the action.
Was the stock extension (nicely done, by the way) done to fit you, or someone else?
Good looking gun. Sorry to hear that you find it unpleasant to shoot. Maybe 28 gauge tube inserts would tame the recoil a bit.

Best,
Ted

Hi Ted,

The s/n is 8C945 (possibly 8G945) and it has 11 'roundels' on the barrel flats (row of 4 and a row of 7) and I think this makes it a V21 as you state. I have corrected the model designation in the original post (having done my research which I should have done before posting). Thanks for pointing this out. I can't see a signature.

When I bought it (very cheaply about 20 years ago) it had a VERY perished rubber pad and was rather abused and dented.

I sent it to William Powell & Son (Birmingham, UK) and had the stock extended for me, the barrels had the dents removed and it was reblacked to 'English best'.

Its a pretty gun - and I respect the engineering, but find it a handful to shoot even with very light loads. But then - here in the UK, we tend to use much lighter loads and I suspect be more 'sensitive' to recoil!

I was particularly pleased with the job they did on the extension - the other side is if anything an even better match. Peter Powell I know was rather pleased to get such a good match.

Best rgds,
John

John,
Suspicions confirmed. Your gun IS NOT a V19, rather, it is a V21. A Darne gun's grade can often be spotted from a distance, if you know what to look for.

Do enjoy it to the extent you can. As I grow older, I also find recoil to be more problematic. I also know I would likely shoot much better if I just used the same gun all the time, instead of switching around between a group of them.

But, what fun would that be?

Best,
Ted

Thanks Ted, I have corrected the posts.

I also shoot too many guns, but the Darne was extended to exactly match a William Powell I have, and with which I shot fairly well (for me anyway).

The Darne weighs just on 6 lbs, the Powell about 6 oz more, so both would count as light guns. The Darne has 27 1/2 barrels, the Powell 28. Using 21 gramme (3/4 oz) loads, the Powell handles rapidly but steadily and shoots sweetly with acceptable recoil, but the Darne is just a bit too much having very quick almost nervous handling and a much sharper edge to the recoil (that's the best way I can describe it). I respect it for its looks and engineering, but its not a 'regular companion' in the shooting or clays field.

Best rgds,
John

Great topic. I have had this Darne for a long time. I too have complained about the "heavy" triggers. Have not done much research on it but here are some pics. Can someone help identify what I have? Also, is there any significance to the Darne emblem embedded in the stock?

FWIW, I have used this Darne very effectively in the field for upland game. For me, it points well and is a very light companion.

Thanks,

KC

Definitely an R gun. Looks to be R15 or higher-I would need to see a photo of the flats of the barrels to tell for sure on this gun. Better than average quality on the engraving, for a pre Bruchet era gun.
The emblem in the stock is what remains of the original butt plate, that someone thought would look good screwed into the stock, after they removed it to put a recoil pad on.
Not exactly best grade work on either modification. Still, if it works, so be it.

Best,
Ted